I learned to parallel park on a huge '73 Mercury Marquis. I actually had some trouble learning to parallel park my first Ford Focus, as it had a much tighter turning radius than the big cars I was used to and required a somewhat different technique.

When backing up while parking, my current Focus does this cool sci-fi-ish beeping to let me know how close I am to the car behind me.

My most impressive parallel parking accomplishment was a pick-up truck and 16' foot trailer; I think it took three tries.

My most impressive was parallel parking my '72 Mercury Monterey with a big trailer. One time was backing up uphill on gravel--it took me two tries. The second time was at a motel while a skeptical employee watched--I did it perfectly and quickly on my first try.

OK, I've finished packing my books and shredded the pattypan squash I'll never eat, even though they are so cute. That's enough, right?

My most impressive parallel parking accomplishment was a pick-up truck and 16' foot trailer; I think it took three tries.

Three tries or not, that's pretty impressive.

I've finished packing my books and shredded the pattypan squash I'll never eat, even though they are so cute. That's enough, right?

Sure! What does one do with shredded pattypan squash?

Fry it into fritters? With fresh herbs and parmesan?

My car's right wing mirror angles down when I parallel park--it took me a month to notice, and another couple weeks to realise it was a feature, not a bug. Still fucks me up more than it helps me. I can't place what it's showing me in space usefully.

My sisters FB is proving to have a dry wit, and little hesitation to show it in front of a bunch of women he hasn't met in the discussion around what do do for my sister's birthday. But if he thinks I'll fall for the obvious mislead about sex with midgets--I've met my sister. I think maybe she's slept with one guy under six foot? But I'm not going to be the one announcing that to her exes.

Fry it into fritters? With fresh herbs and parmesan?

Sure! Or throw it into anything like chili or spaghetti sauce or soup. Or make not-zucchini bread.

My favorite local restaurant is closing at the end of the month, so since I hit my original goal weight (20 lbs. lost!) over the weekend I decided to go off the diet and eat my favorite meal off their menu: grilled pears with blue cheese and spicy beef, grilled spinach, mushroom soup, and perhaps the yummiest breadsticks known to man.

I'm thinking since I made a break with it, I may try alternating with a mostly fruit and salad menu for the next week or so and see if I go up, down, or remain the same.

That sounds like NOM, Matt.

We drove for an hour today. A lot of time in one of the subdivisions behind our house. Then out on one of the two lane, 45 mph roads. He did great.

Unfortunately I need to take my car into the shop tomorrow. I knew it was time for an oil change, but I noticed a leak that I think is the air conditioning. Sigh.

What appeared to be leaking?

Could it be normal condensation dripping from the AC? If the refrigerant is leaking you wouldn't see that, as it'd just turn to a gas.